Torpedo



April 16,` 1929.

TORPEDO Filed April 16. 1921 2 Sheets--Sheel l :.HUMIAIHHHHIII l 31a/manto@ atkoznu;

Apnl 16, 1929. T. B. MYERS TORPEDO Filed April 1e, 1921 2 sheetsfsneer .lil-km w Patented Apr.A 16, 1929. y

UNITED; 1 '.rfE S ,TOM B. diurnas;v OFMARSHALLQTEXASL l f Appiieationhfued April 16, 1921. seriai Nal/162,055.

This invention relates to improvements in torpedoes and more particularly to the pistol mechanism employed m the combustion Iflask for igniting the "fuel used in superheat# ing the motive fluid.`

As is well=known art, torpedoes `now in general use are driven primarily by compressed air after 1t Yhas passed through the combustion flask where it is superheated in the presence of steam by means of an alcohol burner or the like7 the entire products of .combustion so called passing directly from the combustion flask to the turbines.

It sometimes happens that the'fuel is not pressure of the fuel as it is admitted to the t combustion flask thereby properly timing thev firing of the fuel cartridge with respect to the admission of fuel to the flask.

l lVith these and other objects in mind'- which will appear obvious from the following disclosure, attention is directed to. the

` accompanying sheets of drawings illustrating one of various possible features of the invention and in the several figures of whichA corresponding parts are denoted by similar reference characters. y n

Figure 1 is an elevational view, partly in section showing the pistol in cocked or armed position.

Figure 2 is a similar View showing the parts at the moment of firing, and,

Figure 3 is a sectional View showing the parts in position immediately after firing. `tcferring 'to these drawings in detail, 5 denotes a casing adapted to be screwed into the head of the combustionv fiask by means of the threaded connection G. This casing is provided with a cap 7 threadedly connected therewith and containing the fuse holder 8 carrying the fuse or cartridge 10. The upper part of the casing forms a chamber`11 opened through theport 12 to the pressure of the fuel. Thischamber must fill first and thereforegives the desired delay after fuel pressure arrives. Tithin the cap is atubular member 13 carrying anA to those skilled inthe arming plunger or piston 15provided with a stem 1G sliding within atubular member 17.',1nountedl within Vthe yfiring plunger 18. The piston `is loosely fittingwithinithe tubular member 113 thereby-permitting the air to leak past to the flask until the parts sumethe position shown inFigurc This plungerds provided vat its lower end with ar firing pm20 adapted to engage the cap `of the fuse 10. Acting between a fixed support or sleeve21 and the upper inner surface of the plunger 15 is a return'spring 22and between thefiring plunger A18 and the same surface of the plunger 15 1s a firing spring .The firing plunger 18 it will' be noted by reference to Figure' 1 is provided with aY plurality of recesses 24 in which are a plurality of Vballs 25 engaging recesses 26 in the supporting member 21. These balls vare held in place by the end 27 of the tubular member 17. As long as the parts remain in normal position shown in Figure 1, that is, unaffected by any fuel pressure the pistol :remains in locked armed position but when the fuel is admitted through the port 12 pressure builds up within the cap 7 and acts on the head of the arming plunger 15 forcing the same downwardly to the position shown in Figure 2 when the boss 28 engages the upper end Of'tlie`tubular member 17. As the pressure increases, the piston or plunger 15 forces the tubular member 17 downwardly until the recessed portion 30 comes opposite the balls 25 whereupon they are permitted to drop outrof the recesses 26l and permit the firing plunger 18v to move suddenly downwardly under action of the firing spring 23, the firing `pin 2O thereupon engagi'ngthe cap in the fuse 10 and igniting the same which continues to burn for a sufficient length of time'to insure theigni-V combustion Hask. l d d It is believed that the aboyeclearly describes the construction, Y method of use and a further statement is tion of the fuel previously admitted to the..

operation andy unnecessary. The invention is of simple and Y practical construction, reliable'and efficient in use and operation and is so timed with respect to the admisslon of fuel tothe combustion flask as to insure the obtaining of a hot shot when the torpedo is fired. y Without further analysis, vthe foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily 'adapt it for various applications Without omitting certain features that, from" the standpoint of the priorart, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention,an d, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended Within the mean# ing and range of equivalency of the following claim. Y

Vhat Iclaim is Y In a devicef of the character described,

in combination, teasing-carrying a tiring mechanism adapted to be mounted "on the combustion askf of a` torpedo, said 'casing having an `inlet port adapted to be vconnected Witliasuitable source offlid un'derpre'ssure,A ,a ringwpinmovably mounted in said casing, a` sleeve mounted'in the casingVa` the firingI p-inu adapted to be released after ln'edetermined movement of the plunger, said locking means comprising a plurality of balls engaging in recesses in the liring pin and sleeve, and spring means between the plunger and iring `pin normally uncompressed biut compressible on movement ofthe plunger, lsaid spring means 'forcing said iring pin against said fuse after the lackingV v l means has been released.'A

Signed atMarshall, Texas, this 23rd day of 'March, 1921.

TOM 1 B. Mmes' 

